The Complete Aliens Omnibus by Diane Carey John Shirley
Author:Diane Carey,John Shirley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lightning Source Inc.
24
âNow this, this, is the life!â
Danâs declaration was heartily received by the other cadets, and especially by Ned Menzie as he lounged back in his floating chair. Around them, the salt air and warm water lapped at his skin and his crossed legs. Across from where he floated, Adam was reclined on a surfboard, Dan was ensconced in an inner tube, and between them, Robin swam with Pearl as if they were sea nymphs. At the far end of the tank, Stewart made a crazy dive off the scaffold and splashed Leigh as she practiced her backstroke, and Dylan as he retaliated with a sweep that drenched Stewart as soon as he surfaced.
The starboard bay was brightly lit with simulated sunlight, and there was lots of bustling activity, but the cadets were officially off duty, as a reward for their brave actions in saving the ship. Ned was relieved just to be here, to hand responsibility back to the adults. There was an advantage in being a kid and he wanted to take it for all it was worth.
He looked up as Dana came walking down the scaffold walkway toward them, with Spiderlegs spinning behind, carrying a tray of icy drinks with little umbrellas stuck in them.
âVirgin coladas, anyone?â Dana invited.
The kids cheered and crowded toward that side of the tank.
âWhat?â Dan protested. âNo rum?â
âJust use your imaginations,â Dana merrily told them. She crouched at the edge of the aquarium and said, âRobin, guess what, honey? Your babyâs being adopted by a really nice couple on Zone Emerald. They have a vineyard, and they say youâre welcome to come visit him any time. They named him Robin, after you!â
Robinâs face dissolved into pure joy as the cadets broke into applause for her.
âOh, Iâm that grateful!â she chirped. âPoor wee thing!â
âWell, the poor wee thingâs going to grow up rich, romping among the grapes, and have all the benefits of two parents who are just gigglinâ thrilled to have him. I sent him off this morning on a high-speed shuttle. Theyâll be meeting him at the spacedock. Lots better than growing up in a pirate ship, huh?â âSo much!â
âWhat about those pirates?â Adam asked as Spiderlegs handed out the drinks.
âWe rounded up three of them, including Detroit himself,â Dana said. âThe rest were killed. Theyâre in custody. Theyâre facing the death penalty for trafficking in dangerous contraband. Weâve flushed the ship completely, so itâs all safe now, stem to stern. Itâs going to stink for a while, because suddenly weâre running a cattle train, but thatâs okay, right?â
âJust like home in the twigs!â Ned told her.
They all laughed together, and Stewart splashed him.
âIâm still impressed,â Adam said to Ned, âthat you knew we could take all those Gs under water. How do you get that kind of knowledge living in the middle of a farm all your life?â
âThe farmâs on an island, mind,â Ned told him. âWe know a bit about water.â
âOh, look!â Leigh called, and pointed down onto the main deck.
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